Reproductive Health

Abortion Surveillance 2009–United States, 2009
Compared with 2008, the total number and rate of reported abortions for 2009 decreased 5% and the abortion ratio decreased 2%. The change from 2008 to 2009 represented the largest single year decrease in the total number and rate of reported abortions for the entire period from 2000 to 2009.

Assisted Reproductive Technology Surveillance—United States, 2009
CDC released today the latest Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Surveillance Summary presenting state-specific data on the number and outcomes of all ART procedures started in 2009. This report provides detailed information on rates of preterm birth and low birthweight for infants conceived with ART as well as for overall U.S. births. In addition, state-specific data on determinants of multiple gestations and the prevalence of elective single-embryo transfers (eSET) are presented.

Current Tobacco Use and Secondhand Smoke Exposure Among Women of Reproductive Age—14 Countries, 2008–2010
Tobacco use and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure in reproductive-aged women can cause adverse reproductive health outcomes, such as pregnancy complications, fetal growth restriction, preterm delivery, stillbirths, and infant death. To examine current tobacco use and SHS exposure in women aged 15–49 years, data were analyzed from the 2008–2010 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) from 14 countries.

Grand Rounds: Public Health Approaches to Reducing U.S.
Infant Mortality
This powerful session of Grand Rounds highlighted accomplishments and explored public health, clinical, and policy strategies to improve birth outcomes, with special consideration of high risk individuals, families, and communities.

Expanding Safe Infant Sleep Outreach Efforts
The U.S. national campaign to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has entered a new phase and will now include all sleep-related, sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUIDs), officials of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently announced. The campaign, which has been known as the Back to Sleep Campaign, has been renamed the Safe to Sleep Campaign.

Announcing the Release of Smoking Cessation for Pregnancy and Beyond: A Virtual Clinic
This is an interactive Web-based program designed for health care professionals to hone their skills in assisting pregnant women to quit smoking. Up to 4 hours of continuing education credits can be earned by completing the practicum.

The Reproductive Health Assessment After Disaster Toolkit
The Reproductive Health Assessment After Disaster Toolkit provides a set of tools to assess the reproductive health needs of women aged 15–44 years affected by natural and man-made disasters. The data gathered will promote and enhance evidence-based local programs and services to improve the reproductive health of women and their families.